When I Pay for Something, Can It Do What It's Supposed To?

I went out to get lunch. The wintery wind was slicing and dicing everything in its path. Including me in my big expensive coat.

This bad boy was $350 full price. It was extra for the Thinsulate, which is supposed to add "warmth without the bulk." And it was extra for Tall (I love the way I am financially punished for not being under 5 feet 7 inches tall).

Of course I did not pay anything close to the full price. I got a great deal on it. But it doesn't matter how cheap you get an expensive item if it doesn't do what it's supposed to do.

I know it's not a down parka, but I think that if I pay extra to get a special insulation to keep me warmer, then it should actually work! It is a coat. Coats are worn for the express purpose of keeping you warm. Yes, a pretty coat is a plus! I'd day with modern design and technology, it's a must. But in the end, the point of the coat is to keep you from freezing.

So, tell me why when I walk outdoors in a $300+ coat, I can FEEL the wind! Why am I cold with a scarf and a wool sweater underneath a buttoned-up wool coat lined with Thinsulate?! Are there temperature maximums that come with these things? "Disclaimer: Do not wear in temperatures below 45 degrees because you will be cold."

Again, I realize this is not a ski parka. I realize this is not a down puffer that goes down to my knees. But there's no reason why a retailer would charge that much full price for a coat and it doesn't do it's primary job.

So I will walk huddled underneath my pretty coat. I will get indoors as quickly as I can. I will wear another layer under my layers. And I will grit my teeth and think twice before buying and wearing a pretty coat when the temperature is around 32 degrees.

3 Comments

I'm sorry. I was looking for coats last year but I was really disappointed with the selection, even among the wool coats, 'cause they were so flimsy. The wool fabric doesn't even feel thick enough, let alone those little linings. When the wind cuts like this, I go for the bulk and leave my peacoats and trenches in the closet.

LOL- I know this is not really funny because I live in Canada and whatever temperature you are experiencing dip it by 10 degrees and that is what I got.
I know that you know this but ....Retailers lie when it come to winter duds. It is the same with boots, it's either style or warmth.. it seems like you can't have both and its very frustrating when you live in the places we live and want to be fashionable but unfortunately its reality. Sorry to hear about your coat I'm sure its pretty if not warm.

I don't think the Thinsulate would do much in a windy situation. It's thin and good at trapping some warmth (especially if worn next to the skin-- the Thinsulate long underwear I have is about as warm as a sweatshirt if worn next to the skin). It's just not thick or solid enough to block wind.

I wish I could advise you of an attractive coat that's also warm. Heck, I'd like to have an attractive coat that's also warm. And also gloves that keep my fingers from getting numb, and something to keep my face from freezing without steaming up my glasses. It's 1 degree F right now, and just too cold.